First Niagara provides grant funding for Housing Opportunities Made Equal

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Aug 1st 2014 08:00 pm

Bank will provide financial
support to promote equal opportunity housing

The First Niagara Foundation and Housing Opportunities Made Equal Inc.
are partnering to ensure the people of Western New York have access to housing
in the communities of their choice through education, advocacy, enforcement of
fair housing laws and the creation of housing opportunities.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal is a fair housing organization that
promotes the value of diversity by ensuring all people have equal opportunities
to live in the housing and communities of their choice through education,
advocacy, the enforcement of fair housing laws and the creation of housing
opportunities. The First Niagara Foundation is providing a $10,000 grant to
fund its programs. By providing individual counseling and security deposit
assistance, clients of HOME are encouraged to explore housing options in neighborhoods
of greater opportunity.

"First Niagara is committed to creating strong, diverse and thriving
communities," said Buford Sears, First Niagara regional president, Western New
York. "We are proud to work with Housing Opportunities Made Equal Inc. to
improve and revitalize our neighborhoods and promote self-sufficiency."

HOME Executive Director Scott W. Gehl noted, "First Niagara has
provided generous support, which will permit our clients to make potentially
life-altering decisions and help break down barriers that have made
Buffalo-Niagara among the most segregated metropolitan areas in the nation."